More than a thousand Thai pro-democracy protesters took over a major Bangkok intersection on Wednesday, defying authorities in the first major rally since police used rubber bullets against demonstrators over the weekend.Thailand's protest movement kicked off in July, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's government and a rewrite of a military-scripted constitution.But the most controversial demand is to reform the untouchable monarchy, including the abol

Thailand's prime minister on Tuesday received the AstraZeneca vaccine as the Southeast Asian nation began the drug's rollout, lifting a suspension that was triggered by European nations raising safety concerns.The country became the first outside of Europe to temporarily delay the COVID-19 vaccine after several EU nations - including Ireland, the Netherlands and Denmark - moved to delay it due to reports that some recipients had suffered blood clots.Thailand is already administering

Hundreds marched in Bangkok and lit ceremonial fires in front of a courthouse on Saturday to protest Thailand's draconian royal defamation law and the jailing of several prominent pro-democracy activists.The protesters are part of a youth-led movement that kicked off last July calling for an overhaul to Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha's government and a scrapping of the country's military-scripted constitution.They are also demanding the abolition of a lese majeste law which shields

Thai police shot rubber bullets and used water cannon and tear gas against pro-democracy protesters in Bangkok on Sunday at a rally outside a military barracks housing the prime minister's residence.A youth-led protest movement calling for the resignation of Prayut Chan-o-cha's government had lost steam in recent months following a second wave of coronavirus infections in Thailand.But the recent detention of four prominent protest leaders on royal defamation charges has given it a s

Thai premier Prayut Chan-o-cha faced a torrent of vitriol from opposition MPs on Tuesday over his handling of a pandemic-bruised economy, amid a renewed push from a pro-democracy movement calling for his resignation and royal reforms.The verbal assault came at the start of a four-day no-confidence debate, with lawmakers set to vote on Saturday on the administration's fate.While Prayut - who came to power in a 2014 coup - is expected to survive the vote, the debate could set off internal

Thai pro-democracy protesters returned to the streets of Bangkok Wednesday after nearly two months, clanging pots and pans - a tactic borrowed from mass rallies against a coup in neighbouring Myanmar.The protest came a day after a court denied bail to four prominent democracy leaders who were charged under the kingdom's draconian royal defamation laws.Since the pro-democracy movement kicked off in July, more than 50 protesters have been charged under the laws and face up to 15 years in j

Thai democracy activists rallied at the United Nation's (UN) Bangkok office Thursday and asked the body to pressure the kingdom into repealing royal defamation laws they say are being used to suppress their movement.23 leaders are facing charges under the legislation for headlining demonstrations demanding reforms to the monarchy and more scrutiny of the royal family's financial arrangements.The kingdom's lese majeste laws shield the super wealthy King Maha Vajiralongkorn and t

Bangkok has been gripped by a rubber duck frenzy since pro-democracy protesters used giant inflatables to shield themselves from water cannon spray last month.When police mounted a crackdown on a November rally, deploying tear gas and water cannons outside parliament, footage of demonstrators hiding behind giant ducks went viral.Within days, duck-themed paraphernalia became a staple among street vendors at protests, the birds featuring on everything from hats to hair clips.Protesters are call

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha survived a legal challenge Wednesday over his living arrangements that could have seen him thrown out of office, in a court ruling that prompted anger among thousands of pro-democracy protesters.The kingdom's nine-judge constitutional court ruled that Prayut - already under pressure after months of street protests calling for him to quit - was not guilty of conflict of interest by living in an army residence after leaving the military.Thousands of pr

Hundreds of protesters marched on a barracks of Thailand's royal guards unit on Sunday hoisting inflatable rubber ducks high above their heads, a whimsical show of force by a pro-democracy movement calling for curbs to the power of the monarchy. The yellow toy has been harnessed as a symbol by the protesters, whose leaders have emphasised peaceful tactics despite recent use of water cannon and tear gas by security forces. But their demands to reform the kingdom's u